Set of floor panels and method for composing thereof

ABSTRACT

A set of floor panels is intended for installing a floor in a room. The set comprises a plurality of first floor panels having a common shape and dimension, and one or more second floor panels showing an adaptation of the common shape and/or the common dimension. The adaptation is performed corresponding to the aforementioned room. A method for composing such set of floor panels.

This invention relates to a set of floor panels and to a method forcomposing such set.

More particularly, the invention relates to a set of floor panelsintended for installing a floor in a specific room.

Floor coverings which are composed of floor panels in the meantime havebecome widely known, for example, from WO 97/47834. The floor panelsdisclosed there relate to, amongst others, laminate floor panels,wherein these are provided with mechanical coupling parts at theiredges, which coupling parts allow composing the laminate floor panels toa continuous floating floor covering. The floor panels of WO 97/47834enable the average do-it-yourselfer to install a floor covering himself,primarily in that the gluing together of the panels is not necessarywith this kind of floor panels. The supplied floor panels all have acommon shape and dimension, and installing them indeed requires acertain manual skill and expertise for smoothly adapting the floorpanels to the room to be provided with a floor, for example, at thebeginning or end of a row of floor panels, for the last row, or there,where special situations occur, for example, in order to allow thepassage of utility conduits. Moreover, a good installation has tofulfill certain conditions, such as minimum dimensions of the start andend panels of a row, minimum distance between short edges of floorpanels in adjacent rows, a sufficiently large expansion joint at thewalls, and the like. The size of the expansion joint often depends onthe kind of floor covering and/or the geographical region where the roomto be provided with a floor covering is situated. Not fulfilling one ormore of these conditions may lead to a loss of the warranty and to adefect floor. Performing the adaptations necessary for the room requiresa lot of time and leads to noise and dust, which for the time being isconsidered a necessary inconvenience. It must also be noted that thereis a market trend towards floor panels of larger dimensions, forexample, with a length of 180 centimeters and more, and a width of 20centimeters and more. This entails that for installing a floor in oneand the same room a larger number of adaptations is necessary, too.Often, the required adaptations also are more difficult with largerpanels.

From WO 2001/047717, a method is known for manufacturing floor panelswherein a global decor, for example, a world map, extends over aplurality of floor panels. Each of the floor panels is provided with adecor in a digital manner, such that the esthetic desires of the usercan be fulfilled. In view of a smooth installation, the floor panels canbe provided with an identification mark. However, the installation stillrequires the herein above-described adaptations.

From WO 2014/195281, a method is known wherein veneers, intended for thetop layer of veneer floor panels, are cut out of wood in an optimummanner. The edges of the veneers more or less follow the naturalcurvature of the wood, however, are adapted to form, together withsimilar veneers, a predetermined floor surface. The contours of theveneers are determined by means of a computer program which starts fromthe floor surface of a room to be provided with a floor and which takescertain preconditions into account, for example, in respect to theminimum distance between short edges of veneers in adjacent rows. Theobtained veneers are glued onto a similarly formed substrate, such as aparticle board, wherein floor panels with an irregular shape areobtained, which nevertheless provide a complete and closed floor surfacefor the respective room. The floor panels all are provided with a label.The method of WO′281 is cumbersome and, for example, does not offer asolution in the case of utility conduits to be passed through, or in thecase that other solid objects are present in the room, such as supportposts, walls or heavy solid made-to-measure furniture.

The present invention primarily aims at an alternative set of floorpanels intended for installing a floor in a room, wherein, according tovarious preferred embodiments, a solution is offered to one or more ofthe problems with floor coverings of the state of the art.

To this aim, the invention, according to its first independent aspect,relates to a set of floor panels suitable for, and preferably intendedfor, installing a floor in a room, with the characteristic that the setcomprises a plurality of first floor panels, wherein these first floorpanels show a common shape and dimension, and that the set furthercomprises one or more second floor panels, which show an adaptation ofthe common shape and/or the common dimension or are provided to thisaim, wherein said adaptation is in accordance with the aforementionedroom.

By “set of floor panels intended for installing a floor in a room” ismeant that this set is not yet installed, but prefabricated, inparticular at least such that the aforementioned second floor panelsshow the required adaptations or are provided to this aim, and stillhave to be installed in the respective room.

It is clear that the aforementioned first floor panels possibly indeedmay show small differences in shape and dimension as a result ofproduction tolerances or by a difference in climatization, for example,a difference in the relative humidity content in the case of wood-basedfloor panels. To the person skilled in the art, it is clear that two ormore first floor panels still show a common shape or dimension, even ina case in which these first floor panels show differences in therespective dimension or shape, wherein these differences still arewithin the maximum deviation allowed in the standard of the respectivefloor type, for example, in the case of laminate floor panels within themaximum allowed deviations of the standard EN 13329.

Further, it is clear that by shape and dimension the shape anddimensions in the plane of the floor panel is meant. Of course, it ispreferred that the first floor panels and second floor panels would showthe same thickness.

According to the most important example of first floor panels, those arerectangular and preferably oblong floor panels, wherein these firstfloor panels have both length and width in common. According to thisexample, the first floor panels have a common rectangular shape with acommon length and width dimension. According to another example of firstfloor panels, those are rectangular and oblong floor panels, whereinthese first floor panels only have the width in common and wherein thelength either varies randomly or is chosen from a limited set, forexample, a set of three different lengths. Random lengths are frequentlyused with panels for solid parquet. According to this example, the firstfloor panels have a common rectangular shape with a common widthdimension, however, mutually different length dimensions. According tostill another example of first floor panels, those are rectangular andoblong floor panels, wherein these first floor panels only have thelength in common and wherein the width is chosen from a limited set, forexample, a set of three different widths. By means of such floor panels,alternatingly rows of wider and narrower panels can be installed.According to this example, the first floor panels have a commonrectangular shape with a common length dimension, however, mutuallydifferent width dimensions.

It is clear that it is not excluded that a set of floor panels accordingto the invention can comprise a plurality of types of first floorpanels. So, for example, may the set of floor panels comprise aplurality of first floor panels of a first type having a first, forexample, rectangular shape, as well as a plurality of first floor panelsof a second type having a second, for example, rectangular shape. Suchset can be intended, for example, for realizing a floor covering with acentral tile motif consisting of first floor panels of the first type,which at the edges is surrounded by a plank motif consisting of firstfloor panels of the second type. Preferably, the set of floor panelsthus then each time also comprises corresponding second floor panels,namely second floor panels of a first type showing an adaptation of theshape and dimension of the first floor panels of the first type, as wellas second floor panels of a second type showing an adaptation of theshape and dimension of the first floor panels of the second type.

In general, it is clear that the dimensions and shape of the first floorpanels in the set of the invention are not adapted in any manner, andcertainly not in accordance with the room for which they are intended.Possibly, they may indeed be provided with a mark in order to indicatetheir place in the room.

The first floor panels preferably are standard floor panels, forexample, rectangular and oblong floor panels, preferably with a lengthsmaller than 2.5 meters. The mass production of floor panels is adjustedto this shape. Preferably, the width of the panels is between 10 and 25centimeters and/or the length of the panels is between 80 and 150centimeters. As the set of floor panels relates to a combination of atleast first floor panels with a common shape and dimension, preferablycommon length and width, with adapted second floor panels, in a rationalmanner a floor can be offered which is adapted to, and possibly made tomeasure of, the room concerned.

According to the most preferred embodiment, the aforementionedadaptation relates to an adaptation which is performed beforehand andapart from the actual installation. So, for example, the producer of thefloor panels can perform the required adaptations, or the distributor ofthe floor panels can do this. As will become evident further on, thesecond floor panels also can only be provided for being adapted, in thatthey, for example, have a break line, or in that the dividing linesuitable for the adaptation is indicated on the floor panel. Within thescope of the invention, thus, this each time relates to break lines orindications which are performed beforehand and apart from the actualinstallation.

Preferably, the set comprises at least the number of first and secondfloor panels which are necessary for providing the aforementioned roomwith a floor, wherein the second floor panels then comprise thenecessary adaptations in accordance with the respective room, or areprovided for these adaptations.

Preferably, the set of floor panels can be applied for installing afloor in the aforementioned room without any further adaptations.

Preferably, the aforementioned set comprises at least second floorpanels, wherein the aforementioned adaptation consists of a shorteningin the length and/or the width of the floor panels, or wherein theadaptation comprises such shortening. Floor panels with an adaptedlength can form the beginning or end of a row, wherein first floorpanels are installed between the adapted floor panel at the beginningand the one at the end of the row. Floor panels with an adapted widthmay serve in a row which is parallel or approximately parallel with awall. In the case of a rectangular room, this may concern the startingrow and/or end row.

For clarity's sake, it is also noted that, in the case that use is madeof first floor panels of random length, a second floor panel, which isshortened in length, is different from a first floor panel at least inthat such second floor panel lacks edge characteristics at the shortedge where the shortening has been performed. So, for example, apossible chamfer, coupling means of other, for example, protruding partswill be omitted at that edge, while this is present indeed in the firstfloor panels.

Preferably, the aforementioned set comprises at least second floorpanels, wherein the aforementioned adaptation consists of entirely orpartially removing protruding portions on one or more edges of the floorpanels, or wherein the adaptation comprises such removal. This mayrelate, for example, to removed portions of coupling parts present atthe edges, such as a protruding tongue portion or a protruding groovelip portion. According to the state of the art, a floor fitter removessuch portions when installing a floor in regard to obtaining a morecompact expansion joint, for example, against a wall. So, for a startingrow of a floor covering, the protruding tongue portions present on thelong edges can be removed.

Preferably, the aforementioned set comprises at least second floorpanels, wherein the aforementioned adaptation consists of an adaptedcontour provided on one or more edges of the floor panel, or wherein theadaptation comprises such adapted contour. Herein, the aforementionedcontour can follow the course of a wall or other edge with a part of theaforementioned room which does not have to be provided with a floor.Providing such contour is of interest, for example, with walls which arenot or not completely parallel to the long panel edges at the beginningor at the end of the floor installation. Preferably, the adapted contouris such that an expansion joint remains between the adapted contour andthe wall. Preferably, the expansion joint has a constant width, or atleast a width having a possible variation in its width of less than 40%.So, for example, may the width of the expansion joint be approximately10 millimeters plus/minus 2 millimeters. Preferably, the width of theexpansion joint is adapted in function of the geographical locationwhere the room to be provided with a floor is situated. So, for example,with wood-based flooring products, in northern regions, such asScandinavia, a drying and thus shrinkage of the floor product in thewinter has to be taken into account as the heating in the living spaceswill produce a low air humidity. In southern regions, such as Oceania,then a high relative humidity during the summer, and thus dittoexpansion of the flooring product, has to be taken into account.

Preferably, the aforementioned set comprises at least second floorpanels, wherein the aforementioned adaptation consists of recessesand/or adaptation pieces provided on the respective panel and intendedfor the passage of conduits, or wherein the adaptation comprises suchrecesses and/or adaptation pieces. Such recesses and adaptation piecesare desirable, for example, there where heating pipes protrude from thefloor surface. Herein, the adaptation piece, for example, is the panelportion situated, seen from the room, behind the heating pipes. Wheninstalling the floor, such panel portion or adaptation piece must beinstalled separately from the actual second floor panel in order toallow working around the respective pipes. Preferably, the adaptationpiece is obtained from another standard floor panel than the respectiveactual second floor panel. In this manner, a perfect connection betweenthe adaptation piece and the actual second floor panel can be obtained,namely without an intermediate distance, created by a saw line or othercutting line between the adaptation piece and the actual second floorpanel, will remain. Preferably, the adaptation piece, if obtained fromanother standard floor panel, is realized such that its decorative sidematches the decorative side of the actual second floor panel. Accordingto the most preferred embodiment, the adaptation piece to this aim isobtained from a standard floor panel with an identical decorative sideas the standard floor panel of which the actual second floor panel isobtained, and preferably the adaptation piece is taken from thatlocation of the standard floor panel which corresponds to the removedpiece of the actual second floor panel, such that the decors ofadaptation piece and actual portion of the second floor panel merge intoeach other seamlessly or practically seamlessly. Floor panels withidentical decorative sides typically are present, for example, inflooring products having a printed decor, such as this is the case, forexample, with laminate floor panels or LVT floor panels (Luxury VinylTile).

Preferably, said adaptation comprises the removal of an excess portionof the respective floor panel. Herein, this relates to removal which isperformed beforehand and apart from the installation. In other words,the respective floor panel is delivered completely to measure infunction of the position it will have in the destined room.

According to a particular alternative, said adaptation comprises a breakline which is provided between the excess portion and the useful portionof the respective floor panel. Such break line then can allow the finaluser or installing person a simple removal of the excess portion, forexample, without necessitating saw treatments. In other words, therespective floor panel can be brought to measure in a simple manner bymeans of the provided break line, in function of the position the panelwill have in the destined room. Such break line is also provided in therespective second floor panel beforehand and apart from theinstallation. Preferably, the useful portion and/or the excess portionof the second floor panel is provided with a mark or other indication,such that the user can derive whether the respective portion is usefulor redundant.

According to still another alternative, the aforementioned second floorpanels comprise an indication according to which the respective secondfloor panels have to be adapted in order to correspond to theaforementioned room. So, for example, the dividing of the respectivefloor panel that has to be performed can be indicated by a dividing lineprovided thereon, and/or the excess portion and/or the useful portion ofthe floor panel can be marked. Such indication is also provided on therespective floor panel beforehand and apart from the installation.

According to still another alternative, the aforementioned second floorpanels comprise an instruction for use, for example, according to whichthey have to be installed. Herein, this may relate, for example, to aninstruction to glue the respective second floor panel to the subsurface,whereas the floor covering for the rest substantially consists of afloating floor covering. This is useful, for example, in the case ofthermoplastic floor panels, such as so-called LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile),at the locations where they can be subjected to direct incidentsunlight. It is known that in such situation such panels tend to expand.Herein, the panels then locally bulge out of the floor surface. In orderto prevent this, a local gluing of the panels to the subsurface is agood option.

The herein above-mentioned break lines and/or indications are, forexample, extremely useful in the case of small excess portions or smalluseful portions of floor panels. Primarily in the case of small usefulportions, the risk of the occurrence of inaccuracies in an automaticproduction environment is prevalent. There is also a risk of loss ofsuch portions, either in the production or in the installation. Notremoving or not completely removing excess portions of the floor panels,but instead indicating dividing lines or providing break lines may alsolead to a more stable packaging unit.

A break line, such as in the above-mentioned particular alternative, canbe performed in various practical manners, of which herein below,without wanting to be exhaustive, some important possibilities arelisted.

According to a first possibility, the break line comprises or consistsof a plurality of through-bores which are situated along the desireddividing line between the useful and excess portions of the floor panel.Preferably, at least 60% of the dividing line is formed by such bores.It is clear that such bores do not necessarily have to becylinder-shaped.

According to a second possibility, the break line comprises or consistsof one or more not through-going incisions at the location of thedesired dividing line between the useful and excess portion of the floorpanel. The not through-going incisions can be performed on the upperside or on the lower side of the floor panel, or on both sides, whetheror not alternately along the dividing line. The not through-goingincisions may or may not be present over the entire dividing line.Preferably, they are at least present over 80% of the dividing line.According to the most preferred embodiment, such incision is performedat least at the decorative side of the respective floor panel, andpreferably the incision extends over the entire respective dividingline. In this manner, at the factory a good cut quality can be providedon the visible surface of the floor panel. The risk that the finalremoval of the excess portion damages the visible surface of the usefulportion then will be minimum. According to an alternative, such incisionis performed at least at the lower side of the respective floor panel.Preferably, the thickness of the remaining material portion at the upperside or lower side of the respective floor panel is less than 10% of thethickness of the floor panel. Preferably, the thickness of the remainingmaterial portion on the upper side or the lower side is less than 2millimeters. Such thickness allows simple removal of the excess portionby means of a cutter and similar tools.

According to a third possibility, the break line comprises or consistsof a whether or not through-going slot which substantially extends overthe entire dividing line, however, in such a manner that the usefulportion still is connected to the excess portion over a remainingportion of one or more coupling parts present at the edges. According toa first example thereof, the break line can extend between positionswhich are situated on two different edges, for example, opposite edges,proximally from the distal ends of the coupling parts present there. Insuch case, the distal ends of these coupling parts at the respectiveedges are not cut through. In this manner, the useful portion remainsconnected to the excess portion over these distal portions. This mayconcern, for example, a portion of a protruding groove lip and/or aportion of a tongue protruding at the edge. According to a secondexample thereof, the break line can extend between different positionsat the same edge, wherein these positions each time are situatedproximally from the distal end of the coupling part present there. It isclear that the slot, according to this third possibility, preferablyextends at least over the entire portion of the dividing line situatedon the decorative surface of the floor panel, whereas one or moreportions of the floor panel, which protrude at the edge of thedecorative surface, remain uninterrupted. The user then may break offthe not interrupted distal portions manually or with simple tools, suchthat the useful portion is separated from the excess portion.

According to a fourth possibility, the break line comprises or consistsof a through-going slot, which substantially extends over the entiredividing line, whereas the slot, over a limited portion of the dividingline, for example, less than 10% thereof, is made not through-going. Inthis manner is obtained that the useful and the excess portions of thefloor panel still remain connected at the location of this notthrough-going portion of the slot. The user then can interrupt theconnection manually or with simple tools, such that the useful portionis separated from the excess portion.

In general, it is noted that a break line preferably is realized suchthat interrupting the remaining connections between the excess portionand the useful portion of the floor panel cannot exert an influence onthe decorative side. Preferably, the desired contour of the decorativeside is already provided by means of the slots, bores and the like. Byan appropriate choice of the break line it can also be provided for thatthe interruption of the remaining connections does not have an influenceon the functioning of the coupling parts, for example, in that theuseful portion and the excess portion only remain connected by a portionof the lower side and/or of the core of the floor panel which issituated outside of the profile of the coupling parts, for example, by acentrally situated portion of the core and/or of the lower side of thepanel.

It is clear that the set of floor panels of the first aspect cancomprise various types of second floor panels, for example, floor panelsfrom which the excess portion is removed, floor panels from which theexcess portion is provided over a break line with the useful portion,and/or floor panels with the indication of a dividing line necessary forthe separation of the useful and the excess portion. It is also possiblethat one and the same floor panel comprises a removed portion, a breakline and/or an indication.

Preferably, a plurality of the aforementioned floor panels showing anadaptation or being provided to this aim, are packaged together in apackaging unit. In the case that the adaptation comprises a removal ofthe excess portion, it is advantageous that the respective unit alsocomprises one or more excess portions created by said adaptation orremoval. In this manner, a stable stacking of second floor panels in apackaging unit can be obtained.

The invention of the first aspect is particularly useful with floorpanels which are suitable for forming a floating floor covering. Suchfloor panels are particularly suitable for being installed bydo-it-yourselfers, however, still require specific adaptations, such asthe adaptations connected to providing sufficiently large expansionjoints. Floor panels for a floating floor covering preferably comprisecoupling parts on at least two opposite edges, which coupling partsallow connecting two of such floor panels to each other, wherein at therespective edges a locking is created in a direction perpendicular tothe plane of the coupled panels, as well as in a direction in the planeof the panels and perpendicular to the respective edge. Such couplingparts can be realized, for example, as a locking tongue-in-grooveconnection, for example, of the type such as known from WO 97/47834.Such coupling parts usually also comprise protruding portions on one ormore of the aforementioned edges. In such case, an adaptation isdesirable wherein in a number of said floor panels these protrudingportions on one or more edges are removed, or are provided for beingremoved.

With the same aim as in the first aspect, the present invention,according to an independent second aspect, also relates to a method forcomposing a set of floor panels for installing a floor in a room,wherein the method comprises the steps of generating a data setcorresponding at least to the surface area of said room, establishing aninstallation plan suitable for said room, producing the required secondfloor panels, which, according to the established installation plan,comprise an adaptation or are provided to this aim, and, preferably,providing at least the required quantity of first floor panels withcommon shape and dimension, or dimensions. It is clear that the methodof the second aspect preferably is applied for realizing a set of floorpanels with the characteristics of the first aspect or the preferredembodiments thereof.

Generating the aforementioned data set in accordance with at least thesurface area of said room preferably is performed by means of anautomatic measuring device. Herein, this may relate to a measuringdevice which scans the room and in this manner, for example, generates acloud of points comprising at least a two-dimensional image of a portionof the surface area plan of the room. The respective measuring devicecan perform its measurements possibly from different positions in therespective room, and/or from different points of view, for example,according to the visibility of the walls of the respective room. Thedifferent clouds of points created thereby are referred to each other bymeans of the taken position and point of view, such that a completeimage of the surface area of the respective room, and more particularlyof the walls thereof, is created. This complete image is digitallystored and forms at least the basis of said data set.

It is clear that establishing the aforementioned installation planpreferably is performed on the basis of said data set, or in other wordson the basis of the digital surface area plan.

Practically seen, the aforementioned installation plan can beestablished in different manners.

According to a first manner, the step of establishing the aforementionedinstallation plan is performed by means of a computer, wherein thecomputer, on the basis of said data set, taking desired limitations intoaccount, proposes an installation plan. The desired limitations may bemanifold. A first limitation is the dimension and shape of the first, orstandard, floor panels. These first floor panels are taken from anavailable floor product which is chosen by the end user on the basis ofpersonal preference. A second limitation is the type of installationplan. On the basis of his personal preference, the end user may opt forrows in random pattern, rows in half pattern, rows according to thediagonal of the respective room or for special patterns, such asherringbone pattern and the like. Such installation plan preferably assuch already fulfills certain conditions, such as the condition of theminimum distance between short edges of panels in adjacent rows.Preferably, the end user also specifies the main direction of the rowsor patterns. Preferably, the user also specifies the geographicallocation of the room to be provided with a floor. Taking into accountstill further limitations, such as, for example, the minimum dimensionof expansion joints required for the respective floor product, thispreferably in function of the geographical location of the room, and,for example, the minimum dimension of panels at the beginning or at theend of a row, and on the basis of said data set or digital surface areaplan, the computer then will propose a final detailed installation planwhich is suitable for installing a floor in the respective room. Fromthis installation plan, the required number of first floor panels,namely floor panels having a common shape and dimension, can becalculated, as well as the number of said second floor panels with theirrequired adaptation. The calculation of the required adaptations isbased on determining the intersections/intersection lines between thedigital surface area plan and the installation plan. The result of thecalculation then can be applied for automatically composing the set offloor panels which is intended for installing a floor in the mentionedroom. This automatically composing can comprise, amongst others,producing said second floor panels on the basis of standard panels,similar to the aforementioned first floor panels. This producing maycomprise performing one or more of the adaptations, or provisions tothis aim, which are mentioned within the scope of the first aspect ofthe invention. Preferably, by means of the aforementioned calculationCAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing) data foreach of the aforementioned second floor panels are created, whereinthese data are suitable for controlling a processing machine, such as arouting machine and/or shortening saw and/or laser cutting machineand/or water cutting machine or other cutting apparatus, such that thenecessary adaptation, indication and/or break line can be realized.

According to a second manner, the step of establishing theaforementioned installation plan is performed by means of a computer,wherein the computer, on the basis of said data set, taking desiredlimitations into account, assesses installation plans which wereproposed by the user. The desired limitations may be manifold. A firstlimitation is the dimension and shape of the first, or standard, floorpanels. These first floor panels are taken from an available floorproduct which is chosen by the end user on the basis of personalpreference. A second limitation is the type of installation plan. On thebasis of his personal preference, the end user may choose a type ofinstallation plan and opt for rows in random pattern, rows in halfpattern, rows according to the diagonal of the respective room or forspecial patterns, such as herringbone pattern and the like. The user canalso specify the desired main direction of the rows or patterns.Preferably, the user also specifies the geographical location of theroom to be provided with a floor. Such installation plan preferablyalready fulfills certain conditions, such as the condition of theminimum distance between short edges of panels in adjacent rows. Theuser then can present the installation plan according to choice for theaforementioned data set, or the digital surface area plan, after whichthe computer assesses whether the proposal of the user fulfills variousfurther limitations, such as, for example, whether the minimum requireddimension of panels at the start or at the end of a row is fulfilled,thereby taking into account the required expansion joint for the chosenfloor product and the geographical location of the respective room. Ifthis is not the case, the user can present the installation plan inanother manner until it suffices and a final detailed installation planis found that is suitable for installing the floor of the respectiveroom. The iteration to be performed by the computer, wherein proposalsfor an installation plan are assessed by the user, can be performed in auser-friendly manner, for example, in that the user provides the chosentype of installation plan in a graphical manner, for example, as avirtual layer which only represents the edges of the panels, over arepresentation of the aforementioned surface area plan. The user altersthe position of the installation plan and/or surface area plan until thecomputer states that the mutual position is suitable or, in other words,fulfills one or more of the further limitations. Altering the positionof the installation plan and/or the surface area plan may take place invarious manners, for example, by means of a keyboard, joystick and/ormouse, however, preferably it is performed by means of atouch-activatable screen or touchscreen. According to thislast-mentioned possibility, the user, for example, moves the type ofinstallation plan over the surface area plan until the computer statesthat a suitable mutual position is found. In general, the indication offinding a suitable installation plan can be stated in various manners,for example, by means of signs, colors, sounds, contrasts, vibrationsand/or diagrams. Possibly, a difference can be made between acceptableinstallation plans and ideal installation plans. In the case that theinstallation plan is presented over the surface area plan in a graphicalmanner, the installation plan, surface area plan or both can changecolor when a suitable installation plan is achieved or is close. Whenthe final detailed installation plan, which is suitable for installing afloor in the respective room, is found, the required number of firstfloor panels, namely floor panels having a common shape and dimension,can be calculated, as well as the number of the aforementioned secondfloor panels with their required adaptation, such that the set of floorpanels can be composed in a similar manner as herein above in the firstmanner.

When according to the herein above-mentioned first or second manner nosuitable installation plan is found, the user will select another typeof installation plan. Not finding a suitable installation plan may occurprimarily with a random pattern, when in each position of theinstallation plan somewhere a too short floor panel is present at thebeginning or end of a row. The user then may choose for another type ofinstallation plan, wherein this other type then also relates to a randompattern, however, with the difference that the mutual position of panelsin adjacent rows is altered, such that with this other type possibly asuitable installation plan can be found indeed.

According to another possibility, the computer, when no suitableinstallation plan is found according to the herein above-mentioned firstor second manner, may propose alterations to the type of installationplan. This may occur primarily there, where the desired limitations arenot fulfilled. When, for example, with a random pattern a too shortstarting panel is present in a certain row, the computer can proposeanother starting length for this row, such that the adapted installationplan becomes suitable for installing a floor in the respective room.

Of course, the computer can impose additional limitations for a suitableinstallation plan. So, for example, limitations may be imposed whichlead to an improved installation comfort. For example, it isadvantageous, in a case in which the end-face seams of the floor panelrows are located perpendicular to a wall with a door opening, to providefor that at least one of these seams is situated at the location of thedoor opening.

According to the desired ease of application and the desired customerspecificity, some steps of the method of the second aspect may or maynot be left to the user. For example, establishing the suitableinstallation plan may be left to the end user. The end user may performthis by means of a computer and suitable software, however, it is alsopossible that the end user submits his desired type of installation planand that the suitable final installation plan then is established by theproducer, distributor, architect by means of a computer and suitablesoftware. Depending on the steps performed by the end user, it ispossible that other data is available for manufacturing the second floorpanels. For example, it is possible that the data comprise the digitalsurface area plan only. It is also possible that the data comprise atleast the geometry of each second floor panel.

According to a particular embodiment of the above-mentioned firstmanner, and in particular in the case of a desired random pattern, it ispossible that a computer, on the basis of the aforementioned data set,proposes a detailed installation plan for a certain room. Hereby ismeant that one does not necessarily have to start from an installationplan wherein as such certain conditions have been fulfilled already.Establishing such detailed installation plan preferably comprises thefollowing steps:

-   -   the step of determining the main direction of the panel rows,        preferably by input by the user, for example, by indicating that        the main direction has to be parallel to a portion of the        borders of the digital surface area plan, such as this is given        in said data set;    -   the step of determining the position of the longitudinal edges        of panel rows; this step can be performed automatically,        preferably such that the average width of the panel rows at the        edges is maximum, and wherein the width for each row at such        edge over a maximum possible length of the respective row is at        least one-half of the width of the panels of the respective        floor product;    -   the step of calculating intersections between said longitudinal        edges of panel rows and the digital surface area plan, more        particularly the external, and preferably also the internal,        borders of this surface area plan;    -   the step of identifying, on the basis of said intersections,        starting and stopping positions in panel rows of complete width,        as well as of concave and convex loops extending in the same        panel row;    -   the step of presenting first and second floor panels between the        starting and stopping positions in each panel row, taking into        account desired limitations and possible concave loops situated        in the respective panel row;    -   the step of presenting second floor panels at the location of        said convex loops, also taking desired limitations into account.

The obtained detailed installation plan then is further applied such asexplained in the above-mentioned first manner for composing the set offloor panels which is intended or suitable for installing a floor in therespective room. It is clear that in the step of determining theposition of the longitudinal edges of panel rows, in the case of a floorproduct with panels of two or more widths, the desired variation in thewidth of the rows, for example, alternatingly wide and narrow rows, hasto be taken into account.

As the detailed installation plan is composed row by row, it is possibleto have the final installation plan fulfill more extensive limitations.So, for example, it is possible to entirely or partially apply a excessportion of a second floor panel of an earlier composed row as a usefulportion in another row which still has to be composed. In this manner,one can work with less loss. According to another example, it can beprovided for that a passage of a utility conduit coincides with a pairof transverse panel edges. This considerably increases the ease ofinstallation and offers an esthetical and qualitative result.

The detailed installation plan composed according the above particularembodiment thereof is also applicable in the case that a floor productis used with first floor panels of random length. In such case, there ispreferably a database with the length of the available first floorpanels. The steps of proposing the suitable panels then can be performedeach time starting from an available, probably the most suitable, firstfloor panel, while taking the individual length of this floor panel intoaccount. From this database, also the most suitable first floor panelcan be chosen to be adapted as the required second floor panel. Suchmethod is particularly interesting in the case of parquet panels.Namely, in wood sawmills frequently excess quantities of short wood areavailable, and parquet manufacturers practically are obliged to take insuch short wood. From such wood then usually a less costly product, suchas three-stroke parquet, is composed. According to the presentinvention, such pieces of short wood may be upcycled and form part ofthe database of first floor panels, such that they can applied, wherethis is possible, for providing a second floor panel. Working with adatabase of available first floor panels is also interesting in thosecases where the production tolerances can be relevant, for example, whenthe length of the rows, and thus the number of floor panels in therespective rows, is so large that a no longer acceptable accumulation ofpanel length tolerances is created. Such principle of database ofavailable first floor panels can also be applied for storing data, forexample, the length, in respect to available, originally excess portionsof second floor panels. These then may be taken into account for afollowing second floor panel according to the installation plan beingcalculated further.

The detailed installation plan composed according to the above-mentionedparticular embodiment can result in a very realistic virtualvisualization of the room provided with a floor. Possibly, the detailedinstallation plan can also be adapted in function of the feedback of theuser to such visualization.

It is clear that according to the second aspect it is also not strictlynecessary that the method has to comprise the step of providing at leastthe required number of first floor panels with common shape anddimensions, or dimensions. Namely, it is possible that the end userhimself provides enough standard panels and makes use of another batchin order to provide one or more of the second floor panels.

Further, it is clear that an installation plan to be established doesnot necessarily have to be established at once for the entire room to beprovided with a floor. So, for example, is it possible that successivelypartial installation plans are established by means of theabove-mentioned first and/or second manner, for example, partialinstallation plans each time having a width of two or more rows, forexample, five or seven rows. It is evident that partial installationplans adjoining each other can also fulfill certain desired limitations,for example, the limitation that the minimum distance between shortedges of panels in the adjoining rows of the respective partialinstallation plans must be shifted over a minimum distance in mutualrespect.

According to the first as well as to the second aspect, it is preferredthat at least the second floor panels comprise an identificationallowing, possibly in connection with an installation plan, to determinetheir intended position in the floor. Possibly, the first floor panels,too, can be provided with such identification. The identification offirst floor panels can be useful in the case that the set of theinvention comprises first floor panels with an identical or practicallyidentical decorative side, for example, in the case of floor panelswhich are provided with a printed decor at their upper surface, forexample, with an imitation of wood. The identification can be performedsuch that it is avoided that such first floor panels are taken up in thefloor plan close to each other, which may emphasize that this is animitation. Also in the case that there is a plurality of types of firstfloor panels, for example, first floor panels with two or more differentshapes and/or dimensions, an identification can be useful in order toguarantee the desired installation pattern. In general, theidentification can also represent an installation sequence according towhich the floor covering can be installed most simply.

Although the invention of the first and second aspect primarily isintended for being applied with floor coverings which are composed ofpanel-shaped elements, it is clear that, according to a deviatingvariant, it can also be applied with floor coverings which are composedof web-shaped elements, such as the webs of wall-to-wall vinyl orwall-to-wall carpeting. According to a particular aspect, the presentinvention thus also relates to a web-shaped element suitable andpreferably intended for installing a floor in a room, characterized inthat said web-shaped element comprises an adaptation which is performedin accordance with said room or is provided for such adaptation. Forexample, the adaptation in particular is in accordance with the courseof one or more walls of the respective room. It is clear that the floorcovering of the respective room can comprise one or more of suchweb-shaped elements and that the method of the second aspect, mutatismutandis, according to a deviating variant, is also suitable forcomposing the web-shaped elements for installing a floor in a room.

By means of the data set generated within the scope of the method of thesecond aspect, also accessories for the respective floor product chosenby the user can be provided, such as skirting boards, transitionprofiles, subfloor and the like. Possibly, the skirting boards,transition profiles and/or the subfloor can also be adapted on the basisof this data set. In the case of skirting boards, also the miterrequired in the corners of the room can be provided beforehand and apartfrom the installation.

With the intention of better showing the characteristics of theinvention, herein below, as an example without any limitative character,some preferred embodiments are described, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 represents a portion of a set of floor panels with thecharacteristics of the present invention;

FIG. 2, in top view and at a smaller scale, represents a room which isprovided with a floor by means of the set of floor panels of which apart is represented in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 represents a variant for the panel situated in the area F3 inFIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 to 7, at a larger scale and for variants, represent a view onthe area indicated by F4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8, at a larger scale, represents a view according to the lineXIII-XIII represented in FIG. 6;

FIGS. 9 to 14, in a same view, represent variants;

FIG. 15 in top view represents a room to be provided with a floor;

FIG. 16 represents a type of installation plan;

FIGS. 17 and 18 schematically represent a step in a method according tothe second aspect of the invention;

FIG. 19, in a view similar to that of FIG. 15, represents anotherinstallation plan of a room to be provided with a floor;

FIGS. 20 to 22 schematically represent some steps in a method with thecharacteristics of the second aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 23 represents a workflow for realizing data suitable formanufacturing a set of floor panels with the characteristics of thefirst aspect.

FIG. 1 represents panels 1 of a set of floor panels 2, which, asrepresented in FIG. 2, is intended for installing a floor in a room 3.The panels 1 of FIG. 1 relate to:

-   -   a first floor panel 1A, of which the set comprises a plurality        and which show a common shape and dimension. In the example,        this relates to floor panels 1A with a rectangular and oblong        shape with relatively large dimensions, namely a length L of        more than 2 meters and a width W of more than 20 cm. The floor        panels 1 are intended for forming a floating floor covering and        to this aim are provided at their edges 4-5-6-7 with mechanical        coupling parts 8 in the form of a tongue 9 and a groove 10,        wherein the groove 10, in the example, has a protruding lower        groove lip 11;    -   a plurality of second floor panels 1B from the aforementioned        set 2, which show an adaptation 12 of the common shape and/or        the common dimension. The respective adaptation 12 is in        accordance with the aforementioned room 3.

The aforementioned first floor panels 1A relate to standard floor panelsof a chosen floor product. The aforementioned second panels 1B areobtained by adapting such standard floor panels in accordance with theroom 3 to be provided with a floor. In this case, the adaptation 12 eachtime relates to a removal of the excess portions of the respective floorpanel 1B. The adaptation 12 each time is performed beforehand and apartfrom the actual installation. The set of floor panels 2, of which aportion is represented in FIG. 1, is delivered with the requiredadaptations 12 or second floor panels 1B.

In the example, the set 2 at least comprises second floor panels 1B,wherein said adaptation 12 comprises a shortening 13 in length. Thesesecond floor panels 1B are suitable for forming the beginning or the endof a row 14 of floor panels 1.

In the example, the set 2 comprises at least second floor panels 1B,wherein said adaptation 12 is in the form of a removal 14 of protrudingportions at an edge. In the illustrated panel 15, this concerns theremoval of the protruding lower groove lip 11 at a short edge 7.

In the example, the set 2 comprises at least second floor panels 1B,wherein said adaptation 12 comprises an adapted contour 16, which isprovided on one or more edges. The contour 16 can be adapted to walls 36and/or other edges of the room 3, such as present pillars 38 or supportposts.

In the example, the set 2 comprises at least second floor panels 1B,wherein the adaptation 12 comprises recesses 17 and an adaptation piece18 intended for the passage of conduits, for example, of pipes for thecentral heating. Herein, it is possible that the adaptation piece 18 isobtained of another floor panel than the actual portion 19 of thissecond floor panel 1B. Namely, in this manner it can be avoided that thematerial removed by a saw line between the actual portion 19 and theadaptation piece 18 would create a seam in the final floor covering. Byproducing the adaptation piece 18 of another floor panel, a connectionwith the actual portion 19 of the floor panel 1B can be obtained.

The set 2 of the example comprises at least all first floor panels 1Aand second floor panels 1B necessary for providing the respective room 3with a floor, and in this case the set 2 is performed such that nofurther adaptations have to be performed for installing a floor in theintended room 3. In general, according to the invention, this is notnecessary. The set 2 might comprise as second floor panels 1B only thosewhich comprise an adaptation 12 which goes further than a removal 14 ofprotruding portions at an edge and/or a straight shortening 13 of thelength L of the floor panels 1.

FIG. 2 represents the second floor panels 1B, which are necessary forinstalling a floor in the respective room 3, in a cross-hatched manner.As here first floor panels 1A with relatively large dimensions comparedto the surface of the room 3 are concerned, the second floor panels 1Bform more than 50% of the surface.

FIG. 3 represents an alternative second floor panel 1B which is providedfor being adapted according to an indication 20 provided on the panel,in this case, a dividing line. This dividing line has been provided onthe respective floor panel beforehand and apart from the installation.The indication is represented here on the decorative side 21 of thefloor panel 1B, however, can also be provided on the lower side thereof.The dividing line or indication 20 can also extend to one or more of thecoupling parts 8 provided at the edge.

FIG. 4 represents another alternative second floor panel 1B, which isprovided for being adapted. To this aim, the panel is provided with abreak line 22, which in this case comprises a series of through-bores 23according to a provided dividing line. FIG. 5 represents an alternativewith a plurality of oblong through-slots 24 according to a provideddividing line. It is evident that bores 23 and slots 24 can be combinedin order to provide a same break line 22.

FIG. 6 represents another alternative with only one through-going slot24 which substantially extends over the entire dividing line. In theexample, the useful portion 25 of the floor panel 1B is connected to theexcess portion 26 only via the coupling parts 8 of the floor panel 1B.For clarity's sake, FIG. 7 also represents such an example, however, fora different second floor panel 1B, which does not belong to the set 2 ofthe example. In the example of FIG. 6, the break line 22, as furtheralso illustrated in FIG. 8, extends between positions 27, which aresituated at two different edges 4-5, in this case, opposite sides,proximally from the distal ends 28 of the coupling parts 8 presentthere. In other words, the distal portions 28 of these coupling parts 8at the respective edges 4-5 are not cut through. In the example of FIG.7, the break line 22 extends between different positions 27 at the sameedge 5, which respectively are situated proximally from the distal end28 of the coupling part 8 present there. It is clear that the user canbreak the remaining connection 29 between the useful portion 25 and theexcess portion 26 in a simple manner, for example, manually or by meansof simple tools. Further, it is clear that with the type of break lines22 of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the useful portion 25 may also be connected tothe excess portion 26 over a single remaining connection 29, too.

FIG. 8 further clearly shows that the example relates to laminate floorpanels 1, namely floor panels consisting of a core 30 on which alaminate top layer 31 with a printed decor layer 32 and a wear-resistanttop layer 33 is provided, and wherein a backing layer 34 is provided onthe lower side of the core. It is clear that the invention can beapplied with any type of floor panels; so, for example, is it alsoapplied in wooden floor panels, such as prefabricated parquet, or withsynthetic material floor panels, such as LVT panels, wherein then othertypes of top layers are applied. To the person skilled in the art, it isclear that break lines 22 presented here also are applied for theseother types of floor panels.

FIG. 8 further shows that the floor panels 1A-1B of the example, atleast at one pair of opposite edges 4-5, are provided with mechanicalcoupling parts 8 allowing to couple two of such floor panels 1A-1B atthe respective edges 4-5, wherein in coupled condition a locking iscreated in a vertical direction V perpendicular to the plane of thepanels, as well as in a horizontal direction H perpendicular to therespective edges 4-5 and in the plane of the panels. Such coupling parts8 may be realized in a plurality of different manners. In the example,they are substantially provided as a tongue-in-groove coupling. FromFIG. 1, it is clear that in this case the short edges 6-7, too, areprovided with mechanical coupling parts 8. Herein, this may also relateto a locking tongue-in-groove connection of the type represented in FIG.8. Other possibilities, such as so-called push-lock coupling profiles,are not excluded. Such push-lock coupling profiles allow a locking bymeans of a downward movement of the panel edges towards each other andare known, for example, from WO 01/75247.

FIG. 9 represents another embodiment, wherein the break line 22 isrealized as a not through-going slot 24, wherein the useful portion 25and the excess portion 26 of the floor panel 1B remain connected bymeans of a remaining connection 29 in the form of a material portionpresent at the lower side of the floor panel. Preferably, this materialportion, such as here, comprises a part of the core 30.

FIG. 10 represents an embodiment, wherein the break line 22 is realizedas a not through-going slot 24, wherein the useful portion 25 of theexcess portion 26 of the floor panel 1B remain connected by means of aremaining connection 29 in the form of a material portion present at theupper side of the floor panel 1B. Preferably, this material portion,such as here, comprises a part of the core 30.

FIG. 11 represents an embodiment, wherein the break line 22 is realizedas two not through-going slots 24; one which is realized from the lowerside of the floor panel 1B, and one which is realized from the upperside or decorative side 21 of the floor panel 1B. The useful portion 25remains connected to the excess portion 26 via a remaining connection 29in the form of a material portion of the core 30.

FIG. 12 represents an embodiment, wherein the break line 22 is realizedapproximately as in FIG. 11, however, with that difference that theslots 24 partially meet each other and thus for a portion 35 form athrough-going slot. Herein, the respective portion 35 extends betweenpositions 27, which are situated at two opposite edges 4-5 proximallyfrom the distal ends 28 of the coupling parts 8 present there.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment, wherein the break line 22 is realizedapproximately as in FIG. 9, however, with the difference that the slot24 for a portion 35 is realized as through-going. Herein, the respectiveportion 35 extends between positions 27, which are situated at twoopposite edges 4-5 proximally from the distal ends 28 of the couplingparts 8 present there.

FIG. 14 shows another embodiment approximately such as in FIG. 11,however, wherein the remaining connection 29 is realized as a remainingmaterial portion of the core 30 which is situated centrally, or, inother words, is situated more inward than the profile of the couplingparts 8. In this manner is obtained that the coupling parts 8 are notinfluenced by the interruption of the remaining connection 29 betweenthe useful portion 25 and the excess portion 26 of the respective secondfloor panel 1B.

FIG. 15 is a graphical representation of a data set which is generatedin accordance with the surface area or surface area plan of a room 3 tobe provided with a floor. In this case, the data set comprises data inaccordance with the walls 36, frames of doors 37, pillars 38 or supportposts, passage openings 39 for conduits and the like. For installing afloor in the room 3, the user has to select a floor product. As analternative, a floor product can also be presented automatically, or theuser can choose among a limited number of presented floor products.

FIG. 16 is an example of a type of installation plan 40 which can bechosen by the user for providing the room of FIG. 15 with a floor. Inthis case, the installation plan leads to rows 14 of floor panels 1 inrandom pattern, wherein the minimum distance D between short edges 6-7of panels 1 in adjacent rows 14 remains larger than a minimum requiredfor the floor product.

FIG. 17 shows that the user, according to the second manner forestablishing the final installation plan mentioned in the introduction,can move the aforementioned type of installation plan 40 in a graphicalmanner over the aforementioned surface area plan. This can be performed,for example, by means of a screen, more particularly a touch-activatablescreen or touchscreen, wherein the user can alter the mutual position ofthe aforementioned transparent layer formed by the type of installationplan 40 and the surface area plan of the room 3 which has to be providedwith a floor. Herein, it is possible that the user also chooses the maindirection of the rows 14, for example, as here, parallel to the longwalls. The computer assesses the mutual position proposed by the userand, in this case, refuses the represented mutual position as notsuitable, as, in the example, at least the width B of the row 14 at thetop in FIG. 17 does not fulfill the minimum width required for the floorproduct, and at least because the length L1 of some panels 1B at theright-hand wall does not fulfill the required minimum length.

FIG. 18 represents a situation wherein the user has found a mutualposition which is assessed by the computer as suitable for providing therespective room with a floor. Herein, the requirements of minimum widthand minimum length of the panels 1B are fulfilled everywhere. Havingfound a suitable installation plan in this case is representedgraphically in that the dashed lines of the type of installation plan 40of FIGS. 16 and 17 have become solid lines. The portion of the type ofinstallation plan 40 which is situated within the contours of thesurface area plan forms the final detailed installation plan, asrepresented in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows that on the basis of the final detailed installation planthe required number of first floor panels 1A as well as the number ofthe second floor panels 1B with their required adaptation can becalculated, such that the set of floor panels 2 of the first aspect,suitable for installing a floor in the room 3 of FIG. 15, can becomposed. The calculation result obtained by means of the hereindescribed method can be applied for controlling a wood processingmachine for performing the required adaptations 12, and/or for providingbreak lines 22 and/or indications 20, such as already described above.

FIG. 19 is a graphical representation of a dataset which is generated inaccordance with the surface area plan of a rather theoretical room 3 tobe provided with a floor. FIGS. 19 through 22 illustrate a method forgenerating a detailed installation plan, in this case with a randompattern, for the room of FIG. 19, wherein the particular embodimentmentioned in the introduction is applied to this end. The rathertheoretical surface area plan allows illustrating a multitude ofpossible situations and difficulties when determining a detailed surfacearea plan and shows that each time a solution can be found.

FIG. 19 shows the desired main direction 41 indicated by the user forthe rows 14 of the final installation plan. Such main direction 41 canalso be calculated automatically, for example, by determining the mainaxes of the surface area plan and keeping the main axis with the largestlength as the main direction 41. In the not represented case that thesurface area plan should have an elliptic shape, in such caseautomatically the long axis should be taken as the main direction.

FIG. 20 schematically represents the result of the step of determiningthe position of the longitudinal edges 42 of panel rows 14. Of course,these longitudinal edges 42 run in the established main direction 41.Their mutual distance M is established by the choice of the floorproduct. In this case, this relates to a floor product with floor panels1A of only one common width. The position of the longitudinal edges 42is performed automatically, such that the average width of the panelrows 14A at the edges 43 is maximum, and wherein the width for each row14A at such edge 43 over a as large as possible length of the respectiverow 14A is at least one-half of the width of the panels 1A of therespective floor product.

FIG. 21 schematically represents the result of the step of calculatingintersections 44 between longitudinal edges 42 of panel rows 14 and thedigital surface area plan, more particularly the external borders 45Aand preferably also the internal borders 45B or this surface area plan.

On the basis of the aforementioned intersections 44, then starting andstopping positions in panel rows of entire width, as well as convexloops 48A and concave loops 48B, which extend in the same panel row 14,can be determined. To this aim, the borders 45A-45B can be taken intoaccount systematically, for example, as here, in clockwise direction,and the coordinates of two successive intersections 44 can be compared.For calculating in a simple manner, such as here, an orthogonalcoordinate system 46 can be applied, of which the X-axis coincides withsaid main direction 41. In this manner, the transitions 47 between twosuccessive intersections 44 can be classified as follows:

-   -   transitions 47A on external borders 45A, wherein the        Y-coordinate of the intersections 44 increases, and transitions        47A on internal borders 45B, wherein the Y-coordinate of the        intersections 44 decreases. Such transition 47A relates to a        starting position of a row 14 of complete width, which is        started with a second floor panel which can be shortened at the        left hand side;    -   transitions 47B on external borders 45A, wherein the        Y-coordinate of the intersections 44 decreases, and transitions        47A on internal borders 45A, wherein the X-coordinate of the        intersections 44 increases. Such transition 47B relates to an        end position of a row 14 of complete width, which is ended with        a second floor panel which can be shortened at the right hand        side;    -   transitions 47C on external or internal borders 45A-45B, wherein        the Y-coordinate of the intersections 44 does not change. Such        transition relates to a loop 48A-48B. When on an external border        45A, between the respective intersections 44, with an increasing        X-coordinate, it is switched from an increasing Y-coordinate to        a decreasing Y-coordinate, or when, with a decreasing        X-coordinate, it is switched from a decreasing X-coordinate to        an increasing Y-coordinate, this relates to a convex loop 48A.        When this relates to an internal border 45B, with such        coordinate changes it is a concave loop 48B. When on an external        border 45A, between the respective intersections 44, with an        increasing X-coordinate, it is switched from a decreasing        Y-coordinate to an increasing Y-coordinate, or when, with a        decreasing X-coordinate, it is switched from an increasing        Y-coordinate to a decreasing Y-coordinate, this relates to a        concave loop 48B. When this relates to an internal border 45B,        with such coordinate changes it is a concave loop 48A. Convex        loops 48A lead to floor panels 1B, the width of which is        shortened. Concave loops 48B lead to floor panels 1B which as        such form part of a larger adjacent row 14, which extends        between a transition 47A and transition 47B, adjacent to the        transition 48B concerned.

As aforementioned, the borders 45A and 45B herein above are taken intoaccount in clockwise direction. It is evident that the borders ingeneral can be taken into account in any order, for example,counterclockwise, wherein then in fact the above-stated classificationhas to be performed on the basis of adapted logics. It is also possiblethat different borders of the same surface area plan are taken intoaccount in another manner, for example, external borders 45A inclockwise direction and internal borders 45B in counterclockwisedirection. The axis system, too, can be defined in another manner, suchthat then another logic has to be applied for the above classification.Such adaptations are within the scope of the person skilled in the art.

Transitions 47A and 47B can simply be linked to the same row 14 bycomparing their Y-coordinates. When, such as here, a plurality oftransitions 47A-47B with common Y-coordinates is present, those areordered according to X-coordinate, such that independent row portions 49are obtained with their separate starting transition 47A and stoppingtransition 47B. By “independent” is meant that the final embodiment ofsuch row portion 49 can be performed independently from the other rowportions 49 in the same row 14. This insight is an important differencebetween the present method and the method illustrated by means of FIGS.15 to 18 and allows reducing material loss.

FIG. 22 represents that the computer proposes first floor panels 1A andsecond floor panels 1B between each of the transitions 47A and 47B, orin other words in each row 14 or independent row portion 49, whiletaking into account the desired limitations, such as the minimumdistance D to be kept between short edges in adjacent rows 14, and withpossible concave loops 48B, which can extend in the respective row 14 orrow portion 49. The convex loops 48A as such can be filled in separatelywith second floor panels 1B. As mentioned in the introduction, the firstfloor panels 1A and the second floor panels 1B each time can be based ona database of available panels or panel portions.

When each transition 47A-47B-47C has been processed, the detailedinstallation plan is complete. The obtained detailed installation planthen is applied further, such as already explained above, for example,for controlling of wood-processing machines for performing the requiredadaptations 12, and/or for providing break lines 22 and/or indications20. It is clear that in the present example the required adaptations 12each time consist of realizing the portion of the internal border 45B orexternal border 45A at the location of the transitions 47A-47B-47Cconcerned.

FIG. 23, strongly schematically, also represents a preferred workflowfor generating data 50 suitable for composing a set of floor panels withthe characteristics of the first aspect. As a first input 51, a dataset52 is used in accordance with the surface area plan of a room 3 to beprovided with a floor. This dataset 52 preferably comprises at leastinformation, preferably the coordinates, for example, in an orthogonalaxis system, over the position of external and/or internal borders45A-45B. As a second input, use is made of information U, for example,over the requests of the user and the geographical location of theinstallation. With the requests of the user, this may relate, forexample, to the desired floor product, the desired installation pattern,for example, random pattern, and the like. On the basis of thisinformation U, one the one hand, information T relating to technicallimitations for the installation is retrieved from a database 54, and,on the other hand, a database 55 of available floor panels of the chosenfloor product is selected. The database 55 is applied for supplying atemporary database 56 of available floor panels 1A in respect toproviding the room 3 concerned with a floor. Such database 56 cancomprise, for example, data relating to the real length of each floorpanel. This latter is particularly useful in the case of a floor productwith panels 1A of random length.

The database 56 of first floor panels 1A, the information T andinformation U then are applied for the calculation C of the detailedsurface area plan. This may relate, for example, to a calculation C asexplained by means of FIGS. 19 to 22. In this case, during thecalculation C each time an available floor panel is retrieved from thedatabase 56 for adding a first floor panel 1A or for realizing a secondfloor panel 1B. In this last case, the excess portion 26 of the secondfloor panel 1B is put back into the database 56, such that it isavailable for a possible realization of a subsequent second floor panel1B.

As an output 57 finally data 50 is created, suitable for composing a setof floor panels 2, which is suitable for installing a floor in the room3. These data 50 comprise at least information relating to the requiredadaptations 12 of the second floor panels 1B. The data 50 can comprise,for example, for each second floor panel 1B the coordinates of thecontour of the adaptation 12. Further, the data 50 can also compriseinformation over the detailed installation plan; so, for example, maythe data 50 comprise the intended position of each first and secondfloor panel 1A-1B in the room 3.

In FIG. 23, the rectangle in dash-dotted line 58 represents processeswhich preferably are performed internally in a computer.

It is clear that the present invention also relates to microprocessorswhich are programmed for generating a detailed installation plan for aroom 3 to be provided with a floor and/or for generating data 50suitable for composing a set of floor panels 2 which are suitable forinstalling a floor in a room 3, and/or to digital data media comprisingsuch program or significant parts thereof.

The present invention is in no way limited to the herein above-describedembodiments; on the contrary, such sets of floor panels and methods forcomposing the same can be realized in various manners without leavingthe scope of the present invention.

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A set of floor panels intended for installing afloor in a room, wherein the set comprises a plurality of first floorpanels; wherein these first floor panels have a common shape anddimension; and wherein the set further comprises one or more secondfloor panels, which show an adaptation of the common shape and/or thecommon dimension or are provided to this aim, wherein said adaptation iscorresponding to the aforementioned room.
 22. The set of floor panels ofclaim 21, wherein it comprises at least the first and second floorpanels which are necessary for installing a floor in said room.
 23. Theset of floor panels of claim 21, wherein the set of floor panels can beapplied without further adaptations for installing a floor in said room.24. The set of floor panels of claim 21, wherein said adaptationconsists of a shortening in length and/or width of the floor panels. 25.The set of floor panels of claim 21, wherein said adaptation consists ofremoving protruding portions on one or more edges of the floor panels.26. The set of floor panels of claim 21, wherein said adaptationconsists of providing a contour on one or more edges of the floor panel,wherein this contour follows the course of a wall of said room.
 27. Theset of floor panels of claim 21, wherein said adaptation consists ofproviding recesses and/or adaptation pieces for the passage of conduits.28. The set of floor panels of claim 21, wherein the adaptation isperformed by removing the excess portion from the respective floorpanel.
 29. The set of floor panels of 21, wherein the adaptation isperformed by providing a break line between the excess portion and theuseful portion of the respective floor panel.
 30. The set of floorpanels of claim 21, wherein a plurality of said floor panels comprisingan adaptation, or are provided to this aim, are packaged together in apackaging unit, and wherein this unit also comprises the excess piecescreated by said adaptation.
 31. A method for composing a set of floorpanels for installing a floor in a room, wherein the method comprisesthe steps of generating a data set in accordance with at least thesurface area of said room, establishing an installation plan suitablefor the aforementioned room, producing the required floor panels, which,according to the established installation plan, comprise an adaptationor are provided to this aim, providing at least the required quantity offloor panels with common dimensions.
 32. The method of claim 31, whereinthe step of establishing the aforementioned installation plan isperformed by means of a computer, wherein the computer, on the basis ofsaid data set, taking desired limitations into account, proposes aninstallation plan.
 33. The method of claim 31, wherein the step ofestablishing the aforementioned installation plan is performed by meansof a computer, wherein the computer, on the basis of said data set,taking desired limitations into account, assesses installation planswhich were provided by the user in a graphical manner over apresentation of the aforementioned surface area plan.
 34. A method forcomposing a set of floor panels for installing a floor in a room,wherein the set comprises a plurality of first floor panels; whereinthese first floor panels have a common shape and dimension; and whereinthe set further comprises one or more second floor panels, which show anadaptation of the common shape and/or the common dimension or areprovided to this aim; wherein said adaptation is in accordance with theaforementioned room; wherein the method comprises the steps ofgenerating a data set in accordance with at least the surface area ofsaid room, establishing an installation plan suitable for theaforementioned room, producing the required floor panels, which,according to the established installation plan, comprise an adaptationor are provided to this aim, and providing at least the requiredquantity of floor panels with common shape and dimension.
 35. The methodof claim 34, wherein the step of establishing the aforementionedinstallation plan is performed by means of a computer, wherein thecomputer, on the basis of said data set, taking desired limitations intoaccount, proposes an installation plan.
 36. The method of claim 34,wherein the step of establishing the aforementioned installation plan isperformed by means of a computer, wherein the computer, on the basis ofsaid data set, taking desired limitations into account, assessesinstallation plans which were provided by the user in a graphical mannerover a presentation of the aforementioned surface area plan.
 37. Themethod of claim 34, wherein a computer, on the basis of theaforementioned data set, proposes a detailed installation plan for theroom, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: thestep of determining the main direction of the panel rows, wherein thismain direction preferably is put in by the user; the step of determiningthe position of the longitudinal edges of panel rows; the step ofcalculating intersections between said longitudinal edges of panel rowsand the digital surface area plan, more particularly the external, andpreferably also the internal, borders of this surface area plan; thestep of identifying, on the basis of said intersections, starting andstopping positions in panel rows of complete width, as well as ofconcave and convex loops extending in the same panel row; the step ofpresenting first and second floor panels between the starting andstopping positions in each panel row, taking into account desiredlimitations and possible concave loops situated in the respective panelrow; the step of presenting second floor panels at the location of saidconvex loops, if present, also taking desired limitations into account.38. The method of claim 37, wherein the step of proposing panels isperformed starting from each time an available floor panel from adatabase of available floor panels or floor panel parts, for example,taking into account the individual length of the available floor panelsor parts.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein said database is providedwith data relating to excess portions of second floor panels.
 40. Themethod of claim 35, wherein said desired limitations comprise at least adistance which minimally has to be kept between the short edges of floorpanels in adjacent rows.